Allen Madden, pictured with John Newcombe,
The Art Community & Call the Metropolitan Land Council on +61 2 9267 2985 or email the Council.
The Metropolitan Land Council is that body which acts as custodian for the traditional owners of this region. Contrary to white propaganda the original inhabitants, the Eora people, were not wiped out after the European invasion led by Captain Phillip. Rather there is strong political and spiritual representation of the four sub-groups of the Eora nation in the Metropolitan Land Council today. Allen is a Gadigal man and as such, is ideally qualified for his position. Allen puts this sudden increase in inquiry in indigenous ceremony down to interest in Australia that has been generated by the Olympics. Peoples from other countries naturally inquire about the inhabitants of the country where they want to be active and dont feel comfortable coming into Australia without being welcomed by its rightful owners. It is natural to assume that if you wanted to go into another peoples country and for arguments sake, open a big display there, you would first go to the people who own that land to be welcomed into their country. It is common practice amongst the indigenous community to seek approval for projects in any particular country within Australia. For example when Fiona Foley was developing the artwork that is down in Customs House, she cleared it with the Metropolitan Land Council to ensure that it would portray nothing offensive to the local community. Bronwyn Bancroft did the same thing when she was in the process of installing "Dreaming" at the Royal Botanical Gardens. When asked for examples of material that would be considered offensive to the Community represented by the Metropolitan Land Council Mr. Madden gave several examples:
The Metropolitan Land Council acts to protect the interests of their local community so even if youre collaborating with an individual artist on a specific project, give the Land Council a call (9267 2985) and drop them a brief outline (metrolalc@acon. com.au) of what it is you would like to do. Its only courtesy. Email: Click here to email Allan Madden. Or visit the Metro's Web Site at: https://www.metrolalc.org.au Contact us on or email Art News.
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